Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE: APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR HANDLING PIPE
INVENTOR: Andrew Virgil Gerber
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority of U.S. provisional patent application
serial no.
61/229,630 filed July 29, 2009, now U.S. application no. 13/387,363 published
on May 17,
2012 as U.S. Publication No. 2012/0118639A1.
TECHNICAL FIELD:
[0002] The present disclosure is related to the field of oil well operations,
in particular, pipe-
handling apparatuses used to move pipe up and over Samson posts between pipe
racks
and pipe-handling devices used to move pipe to and from a drilling rig floor.
BACKGROUND:
[0003] On drilling rigs, in particular, offshore Jack-Up drilling rigs, drill
pipe can be stored in
tiered pipe stacks or racks behind stanchions known as "Samson posts" on the
cantilever
pipe deck. On typical offshore rigs, cranes are utilized to lift singles or
bundles of pipe from
the pipe racks to a catwalk on a pipe handler or up to the drill floor. This
process requires
people to work in and around these suspended loads to hook up bundles of pipe.
This is a
hazardous job where workers are prone to injury. [0004] It is, therefore,
desirable to provide
an apparatus for moving pipe from a pipe rack up and over the Samson post that
is safe,
controlled and efficient, and one that is remotely controlled, does not
require cranes and
does not require a person to touch the pipe as it is being moved.
SUMMARY:
[0005] In some embodiments, an apparatus is provided for moving pipe from a
pipe rack
located behind the Samson posts to a pipe handler so that the pipe can be
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delivered up to the drill floor of drilling rig, or to any other location on
the rig. The
apparatus can comprise of a carriage slidably disposed on a substantially
vertical
support beam wherein the carriage can move up and down on the beam. The
carriage can further comprise a rotatable arm disposed thereon, the arm
further
comprising a tine configured to pick up and carry pipe. The tine can move to
pick up
pipe from any position in the pipe rack by rotating the arm and moving the
carriage
vertically on the beam. The apparatus can be mounted on the pipe deck beside
the
Samson posts, or it can be mounted on the pipe handler, that can skid from the
pipe
rack to a position on the pipe deck that aligns with the well bore.
[0006] The arm can comprise a mechanically geared tine that can remain
horizontal
through the arm's 360 degree rotation about a horizontal axis. By separately
driving
and controlling the arm's rotation and the carriage's vertical position, a
pipe can be
picked up and lifted over the Samson post to the other side and then lowered
onto a
receiving rack. The arm can be sufficiently long that it can pick up pipe from
the
same height as the mounting base of the vertical support beam and yet lift the
pipe
clear over the top of the Samson post when the carriage is lifted to its
highest
position on the beam. The motors used for lifting the carriage or rotating the
arm can
be adapted or configured for automated or semi-automated control, which can
allow
for programmed device sequences and indexing positions for different pipe
diameters and tier heights in the pipe rack. When combined with programmable
logic controller ("PLC") control, precise, repeatable and predictable movement
can
be achieved in the movement of the pipe and, thus, can achieve a safer work
place
for personnel. The movement of pipe from the pipe rack to a pipe handler can
be
achieved entirely mechanically and without personnel having to touch the pipe,
and
can, thus, greatly increase the safety of moving pipe on the drilling rig.
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[0007] Broadly stated, in some embodiments, an apparatus for raising pipe from
a
pipe rack up and over a Samson post to a pipe handler located on a pipe deck
of a
drilling rig, the apparatus comprising: a substantially vertical beam
configured to be
positioned adjacent the Samson post; a carriage disposed on the vertical beam,
the
carriage configured to move up and down the vertical beam; a lift drive
assembly
configured to move the carriage up and down the vertical beam; an arm
rotatably
disposed on the carriage, the arm further comprising a tine configured to pick
up and
carry pipe; and an arm drive assembly configured to rotate the arm.
[0008] Broadly stated, in some embodiments, a method is provided for raising
pipe
from a pipe rack up and over a Samson post to a pipe handler located on a pipe
deck of a drilling rig, the method comprising the steps of: providing an
apparatus
comprising: a substantially vertical beam configured to be positioned adjacent
the
Samson post on the pipe deck, a carriage disposed on the vertical beam, the
carriage configured to move up and down the vertical beam, a lift drive
assembly
configured to move the carriage up and down the vertical beam, an arm
rotatably
disposed on the carriage, the arm further comprising a tine configured to pick
up and
carry pipe, and an arm drive assembly configured to rotate the arm; rotating
the arm
and moving the carriage on the vertical beam wherein the tine engages and
lifts the
pipe; and moving the carriage up on the vertical beam and rotating the arm
wherein
the pipe is carried over the top of the Samson post.
[0009] Broadly stated, in some embodiments, a pipe handler is provided for use
on a
pipe deck on a drilling rig, the pipe handler configured for moving pipe from
a pipe
rack located behind Samson posts disposed on the pipe deck to a drilling rig
floor,
the improvement comprising an apparatus for raising pipe from the pipe rack up
and
over the Samson post to the pipe handler, the apparatus comprising: a
substantially
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vertical beam configured to be disposed on the pipe handler and adjacent to
the
Samson post when pipe is moved between the pipe rack and the pipe handler; a
carriage disposed on the vertical beam, the carriage configured to move up and
down the vertical beam; a lift drive assembly configured to move the carriage
up and
down the vertical beam; an arm rotatably disposed on the carriage, the arm
further
comprising a tine configured to pick up and carry pipe; and an arm drive
assembly
configured to rotate the arm.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
[0010] Figure 1 is a perspective view depicting one embodiment of a pipe-
handling
apparatus moving a section of pipe from a pipe rack over a "Samson" post onto
a
pipe stand.
[0011] Figure 2 is an end elevation view depicting the pipe-handling apparatus
of
Figure 1 removing a section of pipe from a pipe rack.
[0012] Figure 3 is an end elevation view depicting the pipe-handling apparatus
of
Figure 2 moving the section of pipe over a Samson post.
[0013] Figure 4 is an end elevation view depicting the pipe-handling apparatus
of
Figure 2 depositing the section of pipe onto a pipe stand.
[0014] Figure 5 is an end elevation view depicting the pipe-handling apparatus
of
Figure 2 removing a section of pipe from the top tier on a pipe rack.
[0015] Figure 6 is an end elevation view depicting the pipe-handling apparatus
of
Figure 2 removing a section of pipe from the bottom tier on a pipe rack.
[0016] Figure 7 is a front perspective view depicting the pipe-handling
apparatus
shown in Figure 1.
[0017] Figure 8 is a rear perspective view depicting the pipe-handling
apparatus of
Figure 7.
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[0018] Figure 9 is a top plan view depicting the pipe-handling apparatus of
Figure 7.
[0019] Figure 10 is a perspective view depicting a pipe-handling device
located on a
Jack-up drilling rig adjacent to a pipe rack removing a section of pipe from
the pipe
rack using the pipe-handling apparatus of Figure 7.
[0020] Figure 11 is an end elevation view depicting the pipe-handling device
of
Figure 10.
[0021] Figure 12 is a perspective view depicting the pipe-handling device of
Figure
skidded over on the drilling rig to present the section of pipe to the
drilling rig
floor.
[0022] Figure 13 is a close-up perspective view depicting an alternate
embodiment of
the pipe-handling apparatus as shown in Figure 1 moving a section of pipe from
a
pipe rack onto a pipe-handling device.
[0023] Figure 14 is an end elevation view depicting the pipe-handling
apparatus of
Figure 13.
[0024] Figure 15 is a wide-angle perspective view depicting the pipe-handling
apparatus of Figure 13 shown on the left-hand side of the pipe deck of a
drilling rig.
[0025] Figure 16 is a wide-angle perspective view depicting the pipe-handling
apparatus of Figure 15 shown skidded over to the right-hand side of the pipe
deck of
the drilling rig.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0026] In a broad aspect, a pipe-handling apparatus is provided for moving
pipe
between a pipe storage rack and a pipe-handling device that moves pipe to and
from
the drill floor of a drilling rig. For the purposes of this specification, the
term "pipe" is
understood to include tubular pipe, drill pipe, casing, drill collars and
other pipe, as
known to those skilled in the art, used in the drilling of wells and the
production of
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substances from said wells. In some embodiments, the apparatus can retrieve
pipe
from tiered stacks located behind the Samson posts whereby the apparatus can
load
pipe onto a carrier tine, raise the pipe vertically with respect to the Samson
post and
swing the pipe over the top of the Samson post where the pipe can be placed on
a
pipe stand to be loaded onto a pipe-handling device, or directly onto the pipe-
handling device. For the purpose of this specification, the terms "Samson post
elevator" and "Samson lift" are understood to represent the apparatus
described
herein and, in particular, apparatus 10 as shown in Figure 1. In operation,
one or
more sections of pipe can be loaded onto the pipe-handling device using the
Samson post elevator, whereby multiple sections of pipe can be lifted
simultaneously
up to the drill floor. From this position the pipe can be dispensed from the
pipe-
handling device to a presentation position and deliver the pipe to the
drilling rig floor.
[0027] In the reverse, the pipe handler is able to accept and retrieve pipe
individually
from the drilling rig floor, and store multiple pipe in a single layer across
the pipe-
handling device, then lower them down to the cantilever deck level where they
can
be delivered to a pipe rack located behind the Samson posts. Samson post
elevators can then be utilized to return the pipe to a tiered stack formation
behind the
posts. In some embodiments, the Samson post elevators can also form part of
the
overall pipe-handling device.
[0028] Referring to Figure 1, one embodiment of apparatus 10 is shown. In this
figure, a plurality of sections of pipe 14 can be placed in pipe rack 22. The
first layer
of pipe 14 can rest on bottom tier spacer 18 to elevate pipe 14 off of deck
beams 21
that form deck 20. Spacers 16 can be used to separate subsequent layers of
pipe
14 within pipe rack 22. One or apparatuses 10 can be used move pipe 14 over
Samson posts 12 and rest them on pipe stand 24. Apparatus 10 can comprise arm
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26 rotatably attached to apparatus 10 at one end, the other end of arm 26
comprising tine 28, which can be configured to pick a section of pipe 14 from
storage
rack 22 and carry it up and over Samson posts 12. In some embodiments, tine 28
can comprise an L-shaped configuration, as illustrated in Figure 3, although
it is
obvious to those skilled in the art that other physical configurations or
shapes
suitable for picking and holding a section of pipe 14 can be used to form tine
28. As
an example, the tine can comprise a shallow-V configuration, as illustrated as
tine
102 in Figure 14.
[0029] Referring to Figures 2, 3 and 4, apparatus 10 is shown picking, lifting
and
placing a section of pipe 14 onto pipe stand 24. In Figure 2, apparatus 10 is
shown
picking pipe 14a by rotating arm 26 and tine 28 underneath said pipe to lift
it
upwards. In Figure 3, apparatus 10 is shown lifting pipe 14a by moving upwards
on
guide beam 30, which is secured to deck 20 via base plate 32, and rotating arm
26
clockwise to swing pipe 14a over the top of Samson post 12a. In Figure 4, pipe
14a
is shown lowered onto pipe stand 24, which can be accomplished by apparatus 10
moving downward on guide beam 30 and rotating arm 26 to an approximate 3
o'clock position, as shown in Figure 4.
[0030] Referring to Figures 5 and 6, apparatus 10 is shown picking a pipe 14
from
the top tier and bottom tier of pipe rack 22, respectively. In some
embodiments, the
ability of apparatus 10 to move up and down on guide beam 30, and to rotate
arm 26
can allow apparatus 10 to pick a section of pipe from any tier in pipe rack
22.
[0031] Referring to Figures 7, 8 and 9, one embodiment of apparatus 10 is
illustrated. In some embodiments, apparatus 10 can comprise a substantially
vertical guide beam 30 disposed on base plate 32. This configuration can
permit
apparatus 10 to be affixed to the deck floor of a drilling rig adjacent to a
Samson post
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or to a pipe-handling device that can skid across the deck floor. In some
embodiments, apparatus 10 can comprise lift drive assembly 42, that can
further
comprise lift drive gear motor 44 operatively coupled to lift drive reducer
46. Lift
drive assembly 42 can be disposed on the upper end of frame member 50 that can
also be disposed on base plate 32, adjacent to guide beam 30. Lift drive
assembly
42 can further comprise shaft 60 operatively coupled to lift drive reducer 46
to
provide motive power to a continuous loop drive mechanism comprising of a belt
and
pulleys. Pulley 62 can be disposed on shaft 60 to turn belt 52. At a lower end
of
apparatus 10, belt 52 can rotate around pulley 63, which can freewheel on belt
tensioner 74 operatively coupled to apparatus 10 to maintain tension in belt
52.
[0032] In some embodiments, apparatus 10 can further comprise arm drive
assembly
34 that can be configured to move up and down guide beam 30. Arm drive
assembly 34 can comprise carriage 48 disposed around guide beam 30. Carriage
lift bar 56 can be operatively attached to belt 52 with means for attaching
carriage lift
bar 56 thereto. In the illustrated embodiment, the attaching means can
comprise
clamp plate 54 clamped to belt 52, wherein carriage lift bar 56 is operatively
attached
to carriage 48 with pins 58. Once carriage lift bar 56 is clamped to belt 52
with
clamp plate 54, carriage 48 can move up or down guide beam 30 as lift drive
assembly 42 operates. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that if belt
52 is
replaced with a chain, for example, the attaching means can comprise one or
more
pins, or other functionally equivalent means, to attach lift bar 56 to the
chain.
[0033] In some embodiments, arm drive assembly 34 can comprise arm drive motor
36 operatively coupled to arm drive reducer 38 that, in turn, can rotate shaft
64
operatively coupled to torque coupler 66 and pulley 72. Arm 26 can comprise
arm
housing 68 that encloses tine shaft 65 and pulley 73 affixed to tine shaft 65.
Tine 28
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can be operatively coupled to tine shaft 65. Belt 70 can wrap around pulleys
72 and
73 inside of arm housing 68. As shaft 64 turns, the rotational torque can be
applied
to arm housing 68 via torque coupler 66 whereby arm 26 can rotate clockwise or
counter clockwise depending on the direction of the rotation of shaft 64. As
arm 26
rotates, the physical relationship of belt 70 and pulleys 72 and 73 to operate
as a
synchronizing loop mechanism and cause tine shaft 65 to rotate as arm 26
rotates.
Pulley 72 can be configured to remain stationary as arm 26 rotates. This can
cause
belt 70 to rotate pulley 73 and tine shaft 65, wherein tine 28 can maintain a
relatively
fixed position relative to apparatus 10 as arm 26 rotates.
[0034] While the illustrated embodiment uses belts and pulleys, it is obvious
to those
skilled in the art that belts 52 and 70, and pulleys 62, 63, 72 and 73, can be
replaced
with functional equivalents. These equivalents can comprise chains and
sprockets,
cables and pulleys, intermeshing gears, rack and pinion gears or any
combinations
thereof. It is also obvious to those skilled in the art that motors 36 and 44
can be
electric motors of any applicable variant, such as AC fixed frequency motors,
AC
variable frequency motors, DC motors, stepper motors or any other functionally
equivalent motor including, but not limited to, hydraulic motors or pneumatic
motors.
In some embodiments, one or more of arm drive reducer 38 and lift drive
reducer 46
can comprise a transmission to reduce or step down the rotation speed of
motors 36
and 44, respectively. Reducers 38 and 46 can comprise worm gear mechanisms,
planetary gear mechanisms, intermeshing gear mechanisms, ring and pinion gear
mechanisms, any combinations thereof or any other functionally equivalent
mechanisms as known to those skilled in the art.
[0035] In some embodiments, the control and operation of apparatus 10 can
further
comprise operational controls (not shown) that can permit the manual operation
of
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one or more apparatuses 10 in tandem to move pipe 14 in and out pipe rack 22.
If
motors 36 and 44 comprise electric motors, then the controls can comprise an
electrical control panel to control the operation of the motors as known to
those
skilled in the art. If motors 36 and 44 comprise hydraulic or pneumatic
motors, then
the controls can comprise hydraulic or pneumatic control systems as known to
those
skilled in the art. In some embodiments, apparatus 10 can further comprise at
least
one automated control mechanism (not shown), such as general purpose
computers,
programmable logic controllers, microprocessors, microcontrollers, hydraulic
fluid
control systems, pneumatic control systems or other functionally equivalents
systems as known to those skilled in the art to monitor, control and operate
one or
more apparatuses 10, singly or in tandem, manually or as part of an automated
system.
[0036] In some embodiments, apparatus 10 can comprise one or more position
sensors operatively connected to a control system, as known to those skilled
in the
art (not shown), the sensors disposed on apparatus 10 to monitor the position
and
movement of arm 26 or carriage 48 for use in the control and operation of
apparatus
10. Suitable examples can include rotary encoders disposed on shafts 60, 64 or
65
that can be monitored by a control system, or disposed within one or more of
motors
36 and 44. Other examples can include one or more of electro-optical and
magnetic
components, as known to those skilled in the art, operatively connected to a
control
system.
[0037] Referring to Figures 10, 11 and 12, one embodiment of apparatus 10 is
shown as part of a larger system to move pipe 14 from pipe rack 22 to drilling
rig
floor 78 comprising well bore 80 and mouse hole 82. In this configuration, the
system can comprise pipe handler 84 situated on deck beams 21 of pipe deck 20.
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Pipe handler 84 can comprise lower frame 88 having skidding system 86 engaging
deck beams 21. A plurality of apparatuses 10 can be used to move pipe 14 from
pipe rack 22 up and over Samson posts 12 onto kicker/indexer 96 disposed on
pipe
handler deck 90. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that at least two
apparatuses
would be used on each side of pipe handler 84 in order to easily balance and
carry a pipe although a single apparatus 10 could be used near the middle of
pipe
handler 84 and lift and balance a section of pipe provided that suitable
changes are
made to tine 28 to enable it to carry a pipe, such as increasing the width of
tine 28
and including an upper portion or jaw that can clamp the pipe once resting on
tine
28.
[0038] Once a plurality of pipes 14 is positioned on kicker/indexer 96 by
apparatus
10, pipe handler 84 can be skidded across pipe deck 20 to a predetermined
position
for presenting pipe 14 to drilling rig floor 78, as shown in Figure 12. In
some
embodiments, pipe handler 84 can be carried on skidding system 86 that can
move
under power in the fore and aft directions as well as side to side so as to
position
pipe handler 84 relative to Samson posts 12, as well as move to a position in
line
with well bore 80 for delivering pipe 14 between pipe handler deck 90 and
drilling rig
floor 78 without the use of a crane.
[0039] Once pipe handler 84 is in position, pipe handler deck 90 can be
elevated to a
starting position. Pipe 14 can then be placed in trough 92 by kicker/indexer
96 so
that trough 92 can be further raised and elevated so as to present pipe 14 to
drilling
rig floor 78. Skate 94 can be used to push pipe 14 up along trough 92 towards
drilling rig floor 78. When tripping pipe 14 out of well bore 80, the above
mentioned
procedure can be reversed to remove pipe 14 from drilling rig floor 78 to be
returned
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to pipe rack 22. In this illustrated embodiment, apparatuses 10 can be
operatively
disposed on pipe handler 84.
[0040] In other embodiments, such as one illustrated in Figures 13 to 16, the
Samson post elevator, shown as apparatus 100 in these figures, can be
operatively
disposed on Samson posts 12. In some embodiments, Samson posts 12 can
comprise I-beams or boxed beams whereby apparatus 100 can be configured to
move up and down these types of beams.
[0041] Referring to Figures 13, 14 and 15, pipe handler 84 is shown positioned
beside pipe rack 22. Apparatuses 100 disposed on Samson posts 12 can move pipe
14 from pipe rack 22 to pipe handler deck 90. Once loaded with pipe 14, pipe
handler 84 can skid along pipe deck 20 by skidding system 86 to align with
well bore
80 on drilling rig floor 78, as shown in Figure 16.
[0042] Although a few embodiments have been shown and described, it will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications
might
be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The terms and
expressions used in the preceding specification have been used herein as terms
of
description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of
such terms
and expressions of excluding equivalents of the features shown and described
or
portions thereof, it being recognized that the invention is defined and
limited only by
the claims that follow.
